CHAP. XXII.
Of the Romans chief gods called Dii selecti, and of other Heathen gods, their Names and Offices.
THere were among the Romans twenty idolatrous gods, which were cal∣led Dii selecti sive electi, chosen gods; whereof twelve were male, and eight female, whose names do thus follow: Janus, Saturnus, Jupiter, Genius, Mercurius, Apollo, Mars, Vulcanus, Neptunus, Sol, Orcus and Vibar, which were all he-gods: Tellus, Ceres, Juno, Minerva, Luna, Diana, Venus and Vesta, were all she-gods. No man might appropriate any of these unto himself, but they were left common and indifferent to all men dwelling in one Realm, Province, or notable City. These Heathen Gentiles had also their Gods, which served for sundry purposes; as to raise Thunder, they had Statores, Tonantes,* 1.1 Fe∣retrii, and Jupiter Elicius. They had Cantius, to whom they prayed for wise children, who was more apt for this purpose than Minerva that issued out of Ju∣piters own brain. Lucina was to send them that were with childe safe delivery, and in that respect was called the mother of Childwives. Opis was called the mother of the Babe new born, whose image women with child hanged upon their girdles before their bellies, and bare it so by the space of nine moneths; and the Midwife alwayes touched the child therewith before she or any other layed hand thereon.
If the child were well born, they sacrificed thereunto, although the mother miscarried: but if the child were in any part unperfect, or dead,* 1.2 &c. they used to beat the image into powder, or to burn or drown it. Vagianus was he that kept their children from crying, and therefore they did alwayes hang his picture about Babes necks: for they thought much crying in youth portended ill fortune in age. Cuninus, otherwise Cunius, was he that preserved (as they thought) their children from misfortune in the Cradle. Ruminus was to keep their dugs from corruption. Volumnus and his wise Volumna were gods, the one for young men, the other for maids that desired marriage: for such as prayed devout∣ly unto them, should soon be marryed. Agrestis was the god of the fields, and to him they prayed for fertility. Bellus was the god of War and warriers, and so also was Victoria, to whom the greatest Temple in Rome was built. Honorius was he that had charge about Inkeepers, that they should well intreat Pilgrimes. Be∣recinthia was the mother of all the gods. Aesculanus was to discover their mines of Gold and Silver, and to him they prayed for good success in that behalf. Aesculapius was to cure the sick, whose Father was Apollo, and served to keep weeds out of the Corn. Segacia was to make seeds to grow. Flora preserved the Vines from frosts and blasts. Sylvanus was to preserve them that walked in Gardens. Bacchus was for Drunkards. Pavor for Cowherds; Meretrix for whores, to whose honour there was a Temple built in Rome, in the midst of forty and four streets, which were all inhabited with common Harlots.* 1.3 Fi∣nally Colatina, alias Clotina, was goddess of the stool, the Jakes, and the Privy,